Natural ventilation is one of the most efficient passive cooling techniques for buildings. Knowledge of the wind speed in street canyons is the necessary condition for the application of such a technique in dense urban configurations. Thus, prediction techniques to evaluate the microclimate and dispersion parameters in street canyons, has become a subject of intense scientific research. In most cases, wind flow and pollutant dispersion characteristics have been studied numerically and experimentally.

Windows are considered an important factor for comfort in residential and commercial buildings. Research turned to window technology when it was realized that poor thermal characteristics resulted in serious energy and economical consumption and pollution. Following an experimental campaign, which was carried out in a PASSYS test cell which provided a complete data base, a fuzzy system was developed and tested theoretically in order to control an electrochromic glazing in the best possible way. Concerning the theoretical part a model was developed in the MATLAB SIMULINK environment.

The first part of the paper gives criticisms of convetional practice in landscape architecture in hot humids climates, in terms or efficient utilization of energy. Basic criticisms are: overdependence on imports, oversize of open spaces, oversize of exposed potable water, inappropriate irrigation systems, inappropiate use of plants, and mismanagement of natural resources. The second part of the paper gives recommendations for energy efficient landscape architecture in hot humids regions.

Substantial effort has recently been devoted to passive solar desiccant air dehumidification. This research aims to describe the passive room dehumidifying system with the combination of an existing wooden attic space as a chamber and desiccant; an optimization of ventilation system and solar energy as system operation. The field measurement was carried out in the test house in Japan over hot humid summers in 2003 and 2004. It was found that the dehumidification rate of the wooden attic space was approximately 25 g/h per square meter of floor area of attic space.

The amount of waste produced every year, the exhaustion of resources and the construction solutions currently used in construction may not be sustainable in the future. All these issues lead to the research on new construction techniques, on recycling of waste into useful materials, on re-use of construction materials, etc.

Rawshans has been one of the traditional architectural devices that are still being used in recent buildings as an environmental controlling device. Beside their use as an architectural component, they have been used to control natural ventilation and light. The most critical portion of the Rawshan, as light control concern, is the front screen. A systematic analysis of this portion has not yet been taken care of. However, pervious work of this component was investigated by the author for the effect of direct sunlight transmission.

The window is one of the most important elements in architecture. It has a complex character and fulfills multiple functions but it is a privileged device to connect the interior with the exterior. Architecture is frequently defined as an artificially delimitate space. These limits can be relative or absolute, depending on the environmental conditions. Some of these conditions are vital to human beings and require controlled elements. The window fulfills this role.

Urban areas tend to have higher air temperatures than their rural surroundings as a result of gradual surface modifications that include replacing the natural vegetation with buildings and roads. The term Urban Heat Island describes this phenomenon. The surfaces of buildings and pavements absorb solar radiation and become extremely hot, which in turn warm the surrounding air. Cities that have been paved over do not receive the benefit of the natural cooling effect of vegetation. As the air temperature rises, so does the demand for air-conditioning (a/c).

A simplified method was investigated for estimating the dynamic pressure tangential to an opening (Pt) with Irwin’s surface wind sensor. The wind velocity measured by this sensor was broadly consistent with the value measured by a hot-wire anemometer. Mor

The growing demand for better environmental conditions, especially in offices, has increased the need for appropriate standard in order to success the maximum productivity, to minimize the problems of health and the functional cost of air-condition systems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the thermal environment in offices of occupants in University of Patras.